Mobile phones in the Classroom: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them

A novel application of Short-Message-Services (SMS) which was mobile based has been primarily used for large-class interactivity, and assesses its impact on the learning experiences of 1200 students in a large undergraduate class. Classroom Feedback Systems (CFS) provide one possible technological mechanism that can efficiently enable interaction in large classes. These systems are generally well regarded by students when they are used as the 'open channel' was also found to be an especially useful, efficient and preferred method of communication. The use of mobile phones in the classroom has the potential to increase some negative outcomes or distractions such as phones ringing during class or students engaging off-task activities. The rapid proliferation of mobile phones among the student population has provided a novel platform for the development of classroom interaction systems.